Product Reviews

This brief rundown of Damn The Torpedoes (US Civil War naval campaign)
completes my reviews of Winsome Games' collection of wargames. Despite
being four years old, it qualifies because a new (uncut) version is available
for a bargain $15. The original cut and boxed version is still $25.

DTP is firmly in the Modern Naval Battles/Enemy In Sight camp, damage being
inflicted on rival boats and forts by means of action cards. Each player
starts with four ships and six action cards, the round ending when any
player in unable to complete his draw.

In turn, players draw a ship card if they have none present, attack an
opposition fleet with the invidious Ellet Rams, and then, additionally
choose a further action. Games of this type live and die by their historical
overview, and despite workmanlike graphics, the cards have clear objectives
and results, and include notable personalities from the Civil War, each
of which has a specific purpose. General Grant, for example, takes out
a Fort (what a Hero!). Furthermore, there appears to have been some thorough
research on the subject matter. John Bohrer does, however, emphasise the
fun aspect of the game in his Designer's Notes.

Like Winsome's other card game Panzerzug, the action is nothing less than
frantic, as forts and ships take a brutal pounding. The bombardment ends
when someone has totalled 250 points. With ships rated from 1-22, this
could take longer for those of an unlucky disposition (notably me).

Other Resources for Damn the Torpedoes!:

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